Tuesday November 8, 2022
FILE - Voters, among them Somali Americans, line up to cast their ballots in primary elections, at the Minneapolis Election and Voters Services offices, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Aug. 10, 2020.
Minneapolis (HOL) - Millions of Americans will cast their ballot in Tuesday's crucial US mid-term election. The results will determine who controls Congress, as well as state legislatures.
Close to a dozen Somali candidates will be standing for elections throughout the country.
Most candidates will seek positions in state legislatures, except for Ilhan Omar, who is seeking re-election in Congress.
The influx of Somali candidates in the 2022 midterm elections reflects how new immigrant communities are establishing themselves as a political force in American civic life, particularly in key swing states such as Minnesota, Maine, and Ohio.
Here are some of the candidates:
Ilhan Omar:
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) speaks to reporters during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington/ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.
America's first Somali congresswoman, Ilhan Omar, seeks to be re-elected to Minnesota's 5th congressional district for a third term. She was first elected to the position four years ago.
Her district, which encompasses Minneapolis and some of its suburbs, is considered a Democratic stronghold. Omar faced tough competition in her primary race, winning by barely two percentage points.
Political newcomer Cicely Davis is challenging Omar. Analysts expect Omar to return in a landslide.
Deqa Dhalac:
Brianna Soukup/Portland Portland Press Herald/Getty Images)
Deqa Dhalac has been a resident of South Portland for over a decade. Dhalac is currently the mayor of South Portland and the first Somali American mayor in the country.
Deqa will shatter another glass ceiling if elected, becoming the first Somali American elected to the State House.
In House District 120, Deqa Dhalac is facing Republican Michael Dougherty.
Ismail Mohamed:
Samantha Hendrickson - staff, AP
Ismail Mohamed, a Democrat, is one of the city's first Somali-born attorneys licensed to practice in Ohio. Mohamed is seeking election to Ohio's state legislature for the 3rd district.
It will be his second attempt at public office.
Mohamed competed in the Democratic primary against then-Rep. Bernadine Kennedy Kent of District 25 and was defeated by just 658 votes.
Mohamed stated that he is running for the state government to ensure that all students, regardless of ZIP code, have access to a high-quality education.
J. Josiah Lanning, a public policy advocate from North Linden and self-described "political outsider, "is the Republican candidate.
Zaynab Mohamed:
Photo: Courtesy of Zaynab Mohamed Campaign
Zaynab Mohamed is a 25-year-old looking to make Minnesota history on Tuesday by becoming the youngest woman to serve in the state Senate. She is a Democrat and policy aide for Minneapolis City Councilmember Jason Chavez. Zaynab served as a community advocacy manager for the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
She is contesting District 63, almost always votes Democrat, against Republican Shawn Holster.
Samakab Hussein:
Photo: Courtesy of Samakab Hussein Campaign
Samakab Hussein is a community activist and businessman. He is running for Minnesota House District 65A in St. Paul as a Democrat
The first-time candidate's top priorities in the campaign are public safety and affordable housing. He said his experience as a small business owner affords him first-hand knowledge of the importance of entrepreneurship.
Campaign finances show that Samakab was the second highest Democratic fundraiser in Minnesota, behind District 5's Kelly Morrison.
He is facing off against Miki Frost, an independent candidate with the Legal Marijuana Now party and Republican John Schonebaum.
Munira Yasin Abdullahi :
Photo: Courtesy of Munira Yasin Abdullahi Campaign
Munira Yasin Abdullahi is a democratic candidate running unopposed in Ohio's District 9. She is the program manager for the Columbus branch of the Muslim American Society.
Munira has over a decade of experience in non-profits and is passionate about ensuring affordable healthcare and medications.
She will be the first Somali-American in Ohio's State House.
Mana Abdi:
Mana Abdi will be the first Somali American elected to the Maine Legislature. She is one of two Somali Americans vying for the Maine State House and is running unopposed in House District 95- which serves Lewiston- after her Republican opponent, Fred Sanborn-Sanders, withdrew.
She will be the first Somali-American to serve in the Maine Legislature.